Rachele Mussolini, niece of the Duce and most voted councillor of the Capitoline assembly, has left Brothers of Italy. The motivation: “I’m moderate and centrist; I’m going with FI.”

Fratelli d’Italia loses an essential piece on the Roman chessboard, symbolic but above all electoral. After 20 years between the National Alliance and FdI, Rachele Mussolini leaves and moves to Forza Italia. “Different sensitivities on rights, thanks to Fdi for believing in me and supporting me for two candidacies, the affection and esteem remain, but for me, it is time to turn the page and join a Party that I feel is closer to my moderate and centrist”. She explained it.    

In a double interview granted to Repubblica and al Tempo, Rachele Mussolini explained that the choice to say goodbye to FdI matured over time because “I feel more moderate, not so right-wing, I have a more centrist sensibility”.

She said the battle for rights was decisive, given that “sometimes in FdI, I acted as a bit of a counterpoint, but no one ever called me to lecture me. There has always been respect. But in politics, it is one thing to express your thoughts and another to be able to realize them. This is why I decided to leave.”

Among the points of conflict with Fdi is that relating to the Ius Scholae. According to Mussolini, “It is natural to grant citizenship, after a 10-year course of studies, to a boy who was perhaps born in Italy and speaks the Roman dialect better than me! It is a way to quell integration problems, which otherwise worsen. And it is also an enrichment if cultures meet, respecting traditions.”

So, the dig at Giorgia Meloni’s party, which “until a few years ago was in favour… now I have been told that the issue is not on the government agenda. I understand that there are many problems, it’s true, but it doesn’t take anything away from the fact that it can still be included. My daughters and our sons are already ahead. I hope that FdI votes for him.”